French leader hits back as winter of discontent looms

[YahooNews]

French President Francois Hollande hit back at his critics Tuesday as the country's most unpopular president on record battled to contain a rising tide of social discontent amid rumours of an imminent cabinet reshuffle. Speaking after talks with fellow European leaders on youth unemployment, Hollande robustly denounced the protestors who had subjected him to an unprecedented chorus of boos during Monday's sombre commemorations for France's dead in two World Wars and other conflicts. "These outrages, these insults issued during this ceremony dishonour those who made them," Hollande said before defending the spending cuts he has been forced to make under pressure from the European Union.